2026 FIFA World Cup carbon footprint: Record emissions from air travel across three host countries

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to produce the highest carbon emissions in the tournament's history, driven largely by air travel across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded format with more teams and matches means significantly more flights for players, staff, and fans, making aviation the dominant source of the event's carbon footprint. This report examines FIFA's sustainability commitments and the challenges of offsetting emissions from a global sporting event spread over three countries. It highlights the tension between tournament growth and climate goals, and questions whether current offset plans can realistically address the scale of projected emissions. For anyone tracking carbon markets or event sustainability, this case shows how mega-events struggle to align expansion with decarbonization. The article provides concrete numbers on projected emissions and the specific role of air travel, making it a useful reference for understanding the carbon cost of global sports.